Are we losing ground in the mulesing debate? | POLL

MULESING sheep will soon be illegal in New Zealand, with offending producers facing a criminal conviction and $5000 fine if are caught.

Under the changes, the surgical removal of a sheep’s breach, tail skin folds or tail skin wrinkles will be made a criminal conviction and carry a $5000 penalty for an individual offender and $25,000 for a body corporate.

According to sheep and wool producer and former AWI board member Chick Olsson, the NZ change is further proof the Australian wool industry has fallen behind the eight ball.

“The Australian wool industry has fallen so far behind that it is going to be hard to recover,” Mr Olsson said.

“Europe is ahead and New Zealand is ahead.

“Mulesing is affecting lamb sales it is affecting our reputation overseas and NZ have just completely drop-kicked the ball at full-time to win the game.

“They have clearly identified consumers’ preferences and they have legislated to match those preferences.”